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Seasonal affective disorder

Guidelines

Key sources

The following summarized guidelines for the management of seasonal affective disorder are prepared by our editorial team based on guidelines from the United States Department of Defense (DoD/VA 2022), the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP 2012), and the American Psychiatric Association (APA 2010).
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Medical management

Pharmacotherapy: as per AAFP 2012 guidelines, consider antidepressants for the treatment of patients with seasonal affective disorder. SSRIs are the class of antidepressants with the best evidence for benefit.
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Nonpharmacologic interventions

CBT: as per AAFP 2012 guidelines, consider CBT tailored for seasonal affective disorder as an acceptable treatment option, which may have prophylactic benefits for subsequent years.
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Therapeutic procedures

Light therapy: as per DoD/VA 2022 guidelines, consider offering bright light therapy in patients with seasonal affective disorder.
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